The twins that actually work

Forget the listings that claim everything. These are the twins that people who have worn them — and often worn the original too — say genuinely get there. Every one scores 80% or better from wearer reviews. It is the shortlist we would hand a friend.

1. 01 The Dua Brand · sold as a twin of Le Labo Another 13Another 13 ShadesAnother 13 Shades hits the mark – almost 98%
2. 02 French Avenue · sold as a twin of Louis Vuitton Afternoon SwimPinnace OrynPinnacle Oryn captures LV’s summer sparkle for a fraction 92%
3. 03 Maison Alhambra · sold as a twin of Yves Saint Laurent BabycatEbeneMaison Alhambra Ébène mirrors Babycat, but with smoky depth 92%
4. 04 Lattafa · sold as a twin of Initio Oud for GreatnessBade'e Al Oud Oud for GloryOud for Greatness, almost note for note 90%
5. 05 Al Haramain · sold as a twin of Xerjoff Erba PuraAmber Oud Gold EditionOne of the best Erba Pura twins there is 90%
6. 06 Maison Asrar · sold as a twin of Louis Vuitton Afternoon SwimDXBMaison Asrar DXB – a sunny take on Afternoon Swim 90%
7. 07 French Avenue · sold as a twin of Parfums de Marly AlthaïrLiquid BrunAlthaïr at a quarter of the price — and some prefer it 88%
8. 08 Armaf · sold as a twin of Creed Millesime ImperialClub de Nuit MilestoneCreed's Millésime Impérial, salty, fruity and cheap 88%
9. 09 Bujairami · sold as a twin of Louis Vuitton Afternoon SwimDripBujairami Drip mirrors Afternoon Swim, with fresher zest 88%
10. 10 Bujairami · sold as a twin of Louis Vuitton SymphonyPsychoBujairami Psycho captures Symphony’s zest — for less 88%
11. 11 Khadlaj · sold as a twin of Louis Vuitton SymphonyIsland DreamsIsland Dreams delivers LV Symphony’s zest for a fraction 88%
12. 12 Alexandria Fragrances · sold as a twin of Creed Royal OudRoyaltyRoyalty hits the mark, but lacks Creed's depth 88%

What they have in common

Look down the list and a pattern appears. The best twins are aimed at one original, and they usually come from a house that has done it before — French Avenue alone has 2 of the 12 here. They are also, more often than not, copies of loud, recognisable fragrances: a bold amber or a smoky pineapple is easier to reproduce convincingly than a quiet skin scent, where every missing note shows.

What closeness is worth

Another 13 Shades is rated 98% of Le Labo Another 13. Per 100ml, the original costs about $500; the twin about $126. Slide to see what that means over a year of wearing it.

What you would keep

If you get through 2 × 100ml a year

Le Labo Another 13

$1,000

Another 13 Shades

$252

Back in your pocket

$748

Before you buy

Even a 90% twin is not the original. A twin can match the opening and still part ways in the dry-down — the last hours, where the expensive materials live — or in how long it lasts; each review says where the wearers felt it. If you love the opening of a fragrance, a great twin will give you almost all of it. If you love how it smells on a scarf the next morning, try a sample first. And for the ones that do not deliver, read the dupes that lie.